Matt T.
Guide
GuideNew Discovery State Park Campground
Great state park
Most sites are secluded. There is a creepy old cemetery in walking distance. Nice showers on site !!
Equestrian Camping near Belvidere Center, VT
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New Discovery State Park Campground offers equestrian camping with dedicated horse stalls for visitors traveling with horses. Located in Marshfield, Vermont, approximately 30 miles from Belvidere Center, this campground provides specialized accommodations for equestrians within Groton State Forest. The campground features sites with stalls specifically designed for horses, allowing riders to camp with their animals. Facilities include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water. The campground operates seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend. Sites are well separated and private, creating a comfortable environment for both horses and their owners.
The extensive trail network surrounding New Discovery State Park provides excellent riding opportunities directly accessible from the campground. Riders can access multiple interconnected trails throughout Groton State Forest, offering varied terrain and scenic views. The campground serves as an ideal base for exploring the forest's bridle paths and multi-use trails. Horse owners should note that while basic facilities are available, campers should bring their own feed and water buckets. The campground's proximity to several ponds, including Osmore Pond, offers additional recreational opportunities after trail riding. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak summer weekends when equestrian sites fill quickly. The bathrooms and facilities are generally clean but may require occasional maintenance during busy periods.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Belvidere Center (3)
1. AuSable Chasm Campground
"This camp ground is a short drive to Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, Vermont State and so much more. The Chasm has their own store and cafe"
"Sites were a medium distance apart but still spacious enough to not be close to neighbors."
2. New Discovery State Park Campground
"There are even sites with stalls if you're into horses. The bathhouse looks typical and clean.
Not much cell service, but some in places.
Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion."
"There is a creepy old cemetery in walking distance. Nice showers on site !!"
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $38 / night
3. Groton Forest Road Campground
"The lake was gorgeous to swim in and had different rafts and stuff in the water for public use. The bathrooms were well maintained along with the showers."
from $35 / night
Drive Time
- 56 min from Burlington, VT
- 2 hrs 51 min from Manchester, NH
- 2 hrs 52 min from Glens Falls, NY
- 3 hrs 39 min from Lewiston, ME
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Belvidere Center, VT
23 Reviews of 3 Belvidere Center Campgrounds
- RRebecca Y.
TravelerAuSable Chasm Campground
Beautiful/Fun Campground
I wish I had my bike!!! I didn’t know that this was a biking campground and there were SO MANY trails. Made the most of them with running, but overall, a fantastic campground. Showers were clean, staff was very friendly. Sites and attractions within walking distance (but busy roads to cross).
Miccal M.
LegendNew Discovery State Park Campground
Drove through on my way past
This easy-to-access campground has made it on my list of places to stay.
There are two loops of sites, some deep in the woods with great-looking trees, others in a field, and some in between. There are even sites with stalls if you're into horses.
The bathhouse looks typical and clean.
Not much cell service, but some in places.
Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion.
Noticed more than a few sites that I could hang at.
Laura M.LegendNew Discovery State Park Campground
Lovely, friendly campground.
There are hiking trails right from the campground, which we always appreciate. You can also go down to the water and rent a kayak or canoe from the rangers. Camp fees are $28/night, plus $5/day per adult for state park fees.
There is a dump station and drinking water on site, but the spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results. (Apparently you can’t use those if the other end of the hose is pressurized.) Luckily, we found we could unscrew the head of the hose at the dump station and had no problem filling our tank with potable water.
Each site is so different and may or may not fit an RV. Some sites are so sloped I don’t even know how a car would camp there. Some sites are out in the open grass where you just find a spot within the site that works for you. We saw fresh moose poop on a hike but sadly no moose or other wildlife. There are bears around the area though so please be bear smart when camping here.
Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only. The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they’d be so fun to sleep in. They have food compost bins here, but the rangers keep forgetting to unlock the bin, so you just have to ask them. There’s also a book exchange library and adorable little gnome habitats set up in the campground. We had a pleasant stay here.
Brian P.
ScoutAuSable Chasm Campground
Don't waste your time here
The"road" into the campground is more like a goat trail, with numerous washoutsand uneven rocks and dirt. RV site 8 is so out of level that we couldn't get our Airstream level unless we put 10" of blocking under both axles. And the whole idea of paying a"lock fee" is total BS, especially when we paid for our site, in full, 2 months in advance. The ladies at the front desk and the maintenance guy went out of their way to try and make things right, but the manager, his boss and Campspot are completely incompetent and only care about making money.
- YYM C.Traveler
AuSable Chasm Campground
So fun!
Terrific location to hike the different trails of ausable chasm. Good sized site with electric and water. Shady but also had sun to dry our shoes from the raft tour. Bathrooms and showers weren’t too bad, the doors are always kept open which means bugs but not too buggy as they are cleaned daily. Did wish more than once that they had those “occupied/vacant” airplane locks.
Victor R.ScoutAuSable Chasm Campground
First time camping
Excellent campground for the family. Great staff, great facilities.
jonathan M.ScoutGroton Forest Road Campground
Horrible
If I could leave a no star rating, I would. To anyone who is looking to park there camper for the season, I recommend going elsewhere. The previous owner was a more reasonable guy and well respected. Save yourself the time and energy and do not sign a contract here, unless you want to later be told you have to leave for a reason that will not be discussed. The current owner is a dictator who likes to show favoritism. Please save yourself the trouble and try a different campground, there are plenty in the state of Vermont.
Sarah C.LegendNew Discovery State Park Campground
Interesting State Park
This state park has a little bit of everything. There are sites with electric hookups as well as some without. Some sites are in the middle of a grassy field while others are tucked in the trees. Site size various pretty vastly as you travel through the campground. There are two main loops, one is more secluded and spaced out than the other. The campground loops have bath houses, complete with coin operated showers. Park staff were attentive and restrooms were being cleaned with frequency.
There are more remote walk-in shelters on the Osmore Pond, located within New Discovery State Park. The shelters are rustic, have shared outhouses between a few sites, fire pits and small picnic tables. The remote sites are spaced nicely around the pond along a hiking trail that skirts the perimeter. The walk from the parking area to the shelters varies, depending what side of the pond you are camping on. If bringing a full-sized cooler(or other large/luxury car camping items) be sure you are heading to a site closer to the parking area. It would be a challenge to get some of those larger, heavier items to sites across the pond from the parking lot.
Guide to Belvidere Center
New Discovery State Park Campground provides specialized equestrian facilities within Groton State Forest. Located in Marshfield, Vermont, about 30 miles from Belvidere Center, the campground sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation in the northern reaches of the Green Mountains. The area experiences cool summer evenings with temperatures often dropping into the 50s even during July and August, making proper bedding essential for both horses and riders.
What to do
Trail riding beyond the campground: The extensive trail network at Groton Forest Road Campground connects to miles of multi-use paths through varied terrain. "Great for Campers and tenters. Good fishing and plenty of hiking," notes Chris H., highlighting recreational options after riding sessions.
Canoe remote campsites: Access secluded camping spots via water at Osmore Pond within New Discovery State Park. "We had the most perfect spot in a private site on osmore pond that was accessible only by canoe! Quiet, serene, beautiful!" writes Sambath T., describing the peaceful waterfront locations.
Utilize the rail trail system: The converted rail beds provide level, accessible riding surfaces for equestrians of varying skill levels. "Right along a long rail trail where you can put in many miles and not even know it. Swimming and boating is a short ride in a couple different directions," shares Rick S. about the interconnected trail system.
What campers like
Private, well-spaced sites: New Discovery State Park Campground offers exceptional site separation. "The sites are well separated and private. The grounds are beautiful and well situated to enjoy Groton State Forest," reports Robin B., emphasizing the spaciousness uncommon in many public campgrounds.
Multiple water access points: The network of ponds and small lakes surrounding the equestrian camping area provides cooling options after hot trail rides. Rick S. notes, "Swimming and boating is a short ride in a couple different directions, Osmore pond, Kettle pond, or Ricker pond," giving riders multiple options for horse-friendly water access.
Lean-to shelters: These covered structures offer an alternative to traditional tent camping. "The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they'd be so fun to sleep in," Laura M. reports, highlighting these sturdy alternatives for equestrians preferring more substantial shelter.
What you should know
Variable site topography: AuSable Chasm Campground demonstrates how terrain can impact equestrian camping experience. "Each site is so different and may or may not fit an RV. Some sites are so sloped I don't even know how a car would camp there," Laura M. explains, underscoring the importance of researching specific site conditions before booking.
Water access challenges: Specialized equipment may be needed for filling larger water containers. Laura M. notes, "The spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results," a consideration for horse owners needing substantial water supplies.
Maintenance inconsistencies: Facility upkeep can vary throughout the season. "The Women's bathroom ran out of toilet paper and was never replaced. More upsetting was that the soap container was empty all weekend," reports Robin B., indicating campers should bring backup supplies.
Tips for camping with families
Book remote shelters strategically: When using the walk-in sites with horses and children, consider distance from parking. "The shelters are rustic, have shared outhouses between a few sites, fire pits and small picnic tables...If bringing a full-sized cooler be sure you are heading to a site closer to the parking area," advises Sarah C. at New Discovery State Park Campground.
Pack for temperature fluctuations: Mountain weather patterns create significant day-to-night temperature changes, particularly important when camping with children and animals. "Shady but also had sun to dry our shoes from the raft tour," mentions YM C., highlighting the microclimate variations within campsites.
Utilize ranger-led activities: Educational programs supplement the equestrian experience. "You can also go down to the water and rent a kayak or canoe from the rangers," notes Laura M., describing additional recreational options for family members who aren't riding.
Tips from RVers
Check access road conditions: Unpaved camp roads can challenge larger rigs, especially after rain. "The 'road' into the campground is more like a goat trail, with numerous washouts and uneven rocks and dirt," warns Brian P., emphasizing the need for advanced scouting when bringing horse trailers.
Verify site leveling requirements: Bring substantial leveling blocks for potentially uneven parking areas. Brian P. cautions, "RV site 8 is so out of level that we couldn't get our Airstream level unless we put 10" of blocking under both axles," illustrating the importance of proper equipment for stabilizing rigs and trailers.
Reserve specific sites during peak season: The limited number of equestrian sites fill quickly during summer months. "Reservations are def a plus. Can be difficult to get into on the weekend," advises Saige V. from Groton Forest Road Campground, reinforcing the need for advance planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Belvidere Center, VT?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Belvidere Center, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Belvidere Center, VT is AuSable Chasm Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Belvidere Center, VT?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Belvidere Center, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Belvidere Center, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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